Happy crew, happy owners
There is an old saying, ‘A happy crew will make a happy yacht,’ So how do you start in creating a harmonious atmosphere on board? Captain Mike Hitch of 'Golden Odyssey' explains.…
There
is an old saying, ‘A happy crew will make a happy yacht’. But how true
is this? Buying a yacht will be one of the most significant personal
investments you will ever make. Owning a yacht is certainly not cheap
and the ongoing maintenance required will be significant if the yacht is
to bring the reliability and pleasure it was designed for. So how do
you start in creating a harmonious atmosphere on board that will ensure
maximum enjoyment from your investment?
At the head of any yacht is the captain. Choosing the right captain should be of paramount importance for the new yacht owner. So how do you go about selecting the right person for the position? There are many places to find yacht crew these days, from management companies to recruitment agencies. You may have had a recommendation from a fellow owner or you may already have someone in mind from a previous yacht charter. Choose a captain who has experience in the type of yacht you are buying, whether it is motor or sail. You probably wouldn’t pick an inexperienced CEO for your company or a rookie pilot for your jet. Yachts are no different. Make sure they have some longevity in the industry. You need to be able to trust someone to keep your family safe while you are asleep on a night voyage and be confident in their abilities should an emergency arise. If you are planning to charter your yacht then make sure you choose a captain who has some charter experience. The most important thing is to get involved in the appointment and spend some time getting to know the individual. First impressions can count for a lot and a few hours of face-to-face time can be invaluable. It would be worth explaining to your new captain what is expected of them and the crew. We are all different, and pertinent information including your preferences, likes and dislikes will go a long way to make sure that your first cruise is enjoyable.
Once you have selected your captain, let him or her choose the right crew. Make sure you give guidelines on the type of crew you would prefer, whether it is a preference for nationalities or experience. A good captain will ensure that the crew is as compatible as possible.
Having a successful captain and crew on a boat is all about teamwork and focusing on providing you, the owner, with a fantastic yachting experience. Give your captain some time to find his feet and build the team. Long-term, successful operations were never built in the short term. However, if there follows a period of unhappiness, be swift and decisive in changing your captain. Unhappy crew will, in a short space of time, destroy any good morale that has been built up.
It is important the crew is treated correctly with regards to the law. Every crew member should have a contract of employment. These contracts protect both the owner and crew, and are useful if a dispute arises.
Discipline is essential for any successful yacht operation. A crew handbook is a good publication to let crew know what is expected of them. Disciplinary procedures should be publicised and followed carefully to avoid legal problems in the future. People will always respect fairness in these situations. Operating a yacht these days is a minefield of rules and regulations, especially if the yacht is operating commercially. Your captain cannot be expected to know every change in these rules, some of which may be interpreted differently in other countries. There is a myriad of excellent yachting management and support companies who can and should be employed to help him.
Another recommendation would be financial oversight. There is a lot of cash handling in yacht operations and financial transparency and oversight is vital. Regular auditing of this is good practice and gives the captain confidence. ‘Crew burnout’ is a phrase that we often hear these days. So how do we avoid it? Crew, as do all people, need regular rest periods to avoid fatigue and to be able to provide the levels of service that is expected from them. Fatigue is a common cause in serious accidents that have happened at sea. Airline crews have strict rules regarding rest periods, as do yacht crew. Try to ensure crew have adequate rest, not only during cruises but between them too. An extra day off between cruises will help to recharge batteries and promote good morale throughout. As crew live and work in cramped spaces, a regular walk ashore during a long cruise will help to relieve any tension that invariably builds up. However, this is not an excuse for an all-night party!
Regular vacation plans should be made to avoid burnout. There are a lot of career-minded people in the yachting industry with years of experience that should, if possible, be retained. Many people have families ashore and it is not only expensive to change crew but you lose the professionalism and experience that has developed over the years.
If you are considering owning your yacht for many years, then you should think about rewarding your crew with time off for training. Good, professional crew will want to develop their qualifications and skills and their increased knowledge can only benefit the yacht owner.
Teamwork, mutual respect and loyalty are the three most important terms that describe a successful yacht crew. Many people return to the same hotels and cruise ships because of the service they receive. A successful yacht crew, carefully managed, will ensure many years of enjoyment aboard your yacht.
At the head of any yacht is the captain. Choosing the right captain should be of paramount importance for the new yacht owner. So how do you go about selecting the right person for the position? There are many places to find yacht crew these days, from management companies to recruitment agencies. You may have had a recommendation from a fellow owner or you may already have someone in mind from a previous yacht charter. Choose a captain who has experience in the type of yacht you are buying, whether it is motor or sail. You probably wouldn’t pick an inexperienced CEO for your company or a rookie pilot for your jet. Yachts are no different. Make sure they have some longevity in the industry. You need to be able to trust someone to keep your family safe while you are asleep on a night voyage and be confident in their abilities should an emergency arise. If you are planning to charter your yacht then make sure you choose a captain who has some charter experience. The most important thing is to get involved in the appointment and spend some time getting to know the individual. First impressions can count for a lot and a few hours of face-to-face time can be invaluable. It would be worth explaining to your new captain what is expected of them and the crew. We are all different, and pertinent information including your preferences, likes and dislikes will go a long way to make sure that your first cruise is enjoyable.
Once you have selected your captain, let him or her choose the right crew. Make sure you give guidelines on the type of crew you would prefer, whether it is a preference for nationalities or experience. A good captain will ensure that the crew is as compatible as possible.
Having a successful captain and crew on a boat is all about teamwork and focusing on providing you, the owner, with a fantastic yachting experience. Give your captain some time to find his feet and build the team. Long-term, successful operations were never built in the short term. However, if there follows a period of unhappiness, be swift and decisive in changing your captain. Unhappy crew will, in a short space of time, destroy any good morale that has been built up.
It is important the crew is treated correctly with regards to the law. Every crew member should have a contract of employment. These contracts protect both the owner and crew, and are useful if a dispute arises.
Discipline is essential for any successful yacht operation. A crew handbook is a good publication to let crew know what is expected of them. Disciplinary procedures should be publicised and followed carefully to avoid legal problems in the future. People will always respect fairness in these situations. Operating a yacht these days is a minefield of rules and regulations, especially if the yacht is operating commercially. Your captain cannot be expected to know every change in these rules, some of which may be interpreted differently in other countries. There is a myriad of excellent yachting management and support companies who can and should be employed to help him.
You probably wouldn’t pick an inexperienced CEO for your company or a rookie pilot for your jet. Yachts are no different. Make sure they have some longevity in the industry.
Another recommendation would be financial oversight. There is a lot of cash handling in yacht operations and financial transparency and oversight is vital. Regular auditing of this is good practice and gives the captain confidence. ‘Crew burnout’ is a phrase that we often hear these days. So how do we avoid it? Crew, as do all people, need regular rest periods to avoid fatigue and to be able to provide the levels of service that is expected from them. Fatigue is a common cause in serious accidents that have happened at sea. Airline crews have strict rules regarding rest periods, as do yacht crew. Try to ensure crew have adequate rest, not only during cruises but between them too. An extra day off between cruises will help to recharge batteries and promote good morale throughout. As crew live and work in cramped spaces, a regular walk ashore during a long cruise will help to relieve any tension that invariably builds up. However, this is not an excuse for an all-night party!
Regular vacation plans should be made to avoid burnout. There are a lot of career-minded people in the yachting industry with years of experience that should, if possible, be retained. Many people have families ashore and it is not only expensive to change crew but you lose the professionalism and experience that has developed over the years.
If you are considering owning your yacht for many years, then you should think about rewarding your crew with time off for training. Good, professional crew will want to develop their qualifications and skills and their increased knowledge can only benefit the yacht owner.
Teamwork, mutual respect and loyalty are the three most important terms that describe a successful yacht crew. Many people return to the same hotels and cruise ships because of the service they receive. A successful yacht crew, carefully managed, will ensure many years of enjoyment aboard your yacht.
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